A novel sensing approach combining sol-gel technology and standard graded index telecommunications fibre is presented. The tip of telecommunication fibre is etched using hydrofluoric acid resulting in a parabolic shaped cavity characteristic of the refractive index profile of the fibre. This cavity is then filled with sol-gel-derived silica doped with an analyte-sensitive dye. This configuration is evaluated using both fluorescence and absorption-based indicators for sensing chemical species such as oxygen and ammonia. The compatibility of the immobilisation system on telecommunications fibre with semiconductor laser diode excitation makes this approach particularly suited to quasidistributed sensing. Preliminary results for multi-point pH sensing incorporating an 850nm Optical Time Domain Reflectometer and a near-infra-red dye are presented. The characterisation of a new family of materials known as organically modified silicates (Ormosils) is also carried out. Film thickness and temporal stability are monitored as a function of organic : inorganic precursor ratio while film microstructure is examined using FTIR spectroscopy.